AQA Further Paper 2 2020 June — Question 9 7 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleFurther Paper 2 (Further Paper 2)
Year2020
SessionJune
Marks7
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicComplex numbers 2
TypeDe Moivre to derive trigonometric identities
DifficultyChallenging +1.8 This question requires recognizing that C represents a rotation matrix, computing CΒ² explicitly to form simultaneous equations, solving for a and b, then connecting a to cos(Ο€/12) via the double angle relationship. While it involves multiple steps (matrix multiplication, solving equations, recognizing rotation matrices, and applying double angle formulas), each individual step is standard Further Maths technique. The main challenge is synthesizing these ideas and recognizing the geometric interpretation, making it moderately difficult but not requiring exceptional insight.
Spec1.05g Exact trigonometric values: for standard angles4.02a Complex numbers: real/imaginary parts, modulus, argument4.02e Arithmetic of complex numbers: add, subtract, multiply, divide

The matrix \(\mathbf{C} = \begin{bmatrix} a & -b \\ b & a \end{bmatrix}\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive real numbers, and \(\mathbf{C}^2 = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} & -\frac{1}{2} \\ \frac{1}{2} & \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \end{bmatrix}\) Use \(\mathbf{C}\) to show that \(\cos \frac{\pi}{12}\) can be written in the form \(\frac{\sqrt{m + n}}{2}\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are integers. [7 marks]

Question 9:
AnswerMarks
9Explains that C2 represents
a rotation of or that C
πœ‹πœ‹
represents a rotation of
6
AnswerMarks Guidance
πœ‹πœ‹2.4 E1
π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ βˆ’2π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘
οΏ½ οΏ½οΏ½ οΏ½ = οΏ½ 2 2οΏ½
𝑏𝑏 π‘Žπ‘Ž 𝑏𝑏 π‘Žπ‘Ž 2π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘ π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘
1
2π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘ = 2
2 2 √3
π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ = 2
1
𝑏𝑏 = 4π‘Žπ‘Ž
2 1 √3
2
π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’16π‘Žπ‘Ž = 2
4 2
16π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’8√3π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’1 = 0
2 √3+2
π‘Žπ‘Ž = 4
since
�√3+2
π‘Žπ‘Ž = 2 π‘Žπ‘Ž > 0
C2 represents a rotation of , therefore C
πœ‹πœ‹
represents a rotation of
6
1 πœ‹πœ‹ πœ‹πœ‹
2οΏ½6οΏ½ = 12
So and
πœ‹πœ‹ πœ‹πœ‹ �√3+2
π‘Žπ‘Ž = cos12 cos12 = 2
12
Squares matrix C with at
AnswerMarks Guidance
least two correct elements.3.1a M1
Forms two simultaneous
equations in and using
their squared C and the
AnswerMarks Guidance
given C2 π‘Žπ‘Ž 𝑏𝑏1.1a M1
Forms two correct
AnswerMarks Guidance
simultaneous equations.1.1b A1
Eliminates or and forms
a quadratic equation in
or π‘Žπ‘Ž 𝑏𝑏 2
AnswerMarks Guidance
𝑏𝑏1.1a M1
2
Finπ‘Žπ‘Žds the correct value of
AnswerMarks Guidance
2 √3+21.1b A1
π‘Žπ‘Ž = 4
Completes a rigorous
argument to show that
by
πœ‹πœ‹ �√3+2
explaining that C
cos12 = 2
represents a rotation of
AnswerMarks Guidance
πœ‹πœ‹2.1 R1
To12tal7
QMarking Instructions AO
Question 9:
9 | Explains that C2 represents
a rotation of or that C
πœ‹πœ‹
represents a rotation of
6
πœ‹πœ‹ | 2.4 | E1 | 2 2
π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ βˆ’2π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘
οΏ½ οΏ½οΏ½ οΏ½ = οΏ½ 2 2οΏ½
𝑏𝑏 π‘Žπ‘Ž 𝑏𝑏 π‘Žπ‘Ž 2π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘ π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘
1
2π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘ = 2
2 2 √3
π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’π‘π‘ = 2
1
𝑏𝑏 = 4π‘Žπ‘Ž
2 1 √3
2
π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’16π‘Žπ‘Ž = 2
4 2
16π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’8√3π‘Žπ‘Ž βˆ’1 = 0
2 √3+2
π‘Žπ‘Ž = 4
since
�√3+2
π‘Žπ‘Ž = 2 π‘Žπ‘Ž > 0
C2 represents a rotation of , therefore C
πœ‹πœ‹
represents a rotation of
6
1 πœ‹πœ‹ πœ‹πœ‹
2οΏ½6οΏ½ = 12
So and
πœ‹πœ‹ πœ‹πœ‹ �√3+2
π‘Žπ‘Ž = cos12 cos12 = 2
12
Squares matrix C with at
least two correct elements. | 3.1a | M1
Forms two simultaneous
equations in and using
their squared C and the
given C2 π‘Žπ‘Ž 𝑏𝑏 | 1.1a | M1
Forms two correct
simultaneous equations. | 1.1b | A1
Eliminates or and forms
a quadratic equation in
or π‘Žπ‘Ž 𝑏𝑏 2
𝑏𝑏 | 1.1a | M1
2
Finπ‘Žπ‘Žds the correct value of
2 √3+2 | 1.1b | A1
π‘Žπ‘Ž = 4
Completes a rigorous
argument to show that
by
πœ‹πœ‹ �√3+2
explaining that C
cos12 = 2
represents a rotation of
πœ‹πœ‹ | 2.1 | R1
To12tal | 7
Q | Marking Instructions | AO | Marks | Typical Solution
The matrix $\mathbf{C} = \begin{bmatrix} a & -b \\ b & a \end{bmatrix}$, where $a$ and $b$ are positive real numbers,

and $\mathbf{C}^2 = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} & -\frac{1}{2} \\ \frac{1}{2} & \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \end{bmatrix}$

Use $\mathbf{C}$ to show that $\cos \frac{\pi}{12}$ can be written in the form $\frac{\sqrt{m + n}}{2}$, where $m$ and $n$ are integers.
[7 marks]

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA Further Paper 2 2020 Q9 [7]}}